Tag Archive | Evil

Finding Hope: God’s Protection Amidst Turmoil

With all the disruption taking place in our country these days, we need something to cling to that will inspire hope. Something that will strengthen our grasp on the assurance that evil will not prevail. So where are we to turn? Many turn to the wisdom of man, the power of worldly weapons, the strength of government, or financial wealth. Only to find these fall short to offer the protection we need. We may try religions that promote a variety of methods but fails to direct our focus towards the Triune God of Christianity.

In such trying times, we must be alert to the deception and manipulation of the enemy, aka Satan. Lies are his foremost fiery darts. The weapons he exploits to manipulate and deceive. Especially, those who without a relationship with God through Christ, become his pawns. And if we as Christians fail to search the Scriptures for answers, we will face the temptation of despair, confusion, and doubt.

Nevertheless, if we open our Bibles, that is where we will find the hope and assurance we need in these threatening days. In particular Psalm 91. Psalm 91 is primarily a Messianic Psalm but presents a clear message to individual believers found in verses 1-2

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

And it is by having this mindset that we access peace and assurance, no matter the assault from the enemy. The enemy just can’t compete with this Divine protection of Psalm 91. For this psalm reassures us of God’s faithful presence during our storms. We know that because of God’s protection the weapons formed against us will not prevail. We will ride out the storm. We will persevere. We will rise above and become the stronger for it.

Truth stands on its own; lies require constant upkeep…

I did some online research on the topic of what Evil (and those in league with evil, though they may not realize it) resorts to when it begins to loose ground against Truth. Then I compared my research with the actions displayed in social, political, spiritual, or personal settings. Many of the strategies my research exposed are showing up in these settings.

When God is rejected, Truth is rejected. For God is Truth. Therefore, when an entity or a person promotes narratives that aren’t based on God’s Truth, they must resort to lies and dishonesty to maintain their cause.

Allow me to list some of the common strategies my research revealed. We need to ask ourselves, “Does any of this sound familiar?”

  • Distraction & Misdirection — Instead of addressing the real issue, they shift the topic, create chaos, or invent new controversies to muddy the waters.
  • Character Assassination When they can’t discredit the argument, they attack the person. Smears, rumors, and accusations become their weapons.
  • Victimhood ReversalThey present themselves as the oppressed to gain sympathy, even if they’ve been the aggressor all along.
  • Mockery & Ridicule — Rather than offering reason, they turn to sarcasm and scorn to socially pressure others away from truth.
  • Fear & Intimidation — Threats (social, financial, or physical) are used to silence opposition. If they can’t win, they try to shut you up.
  • Divide & Isolate — They attempt to turn allies against each other, encouraging infighting so that the movement for truth loses unity.
  • Redefining Words & Reality — They manipulate language, changing definitions so that truth itself becomes fuzzy or relative.
  • Projection — They accuse their opponents of the very wrongdoing they themselves are guilty of. This confuses the battlefield.
  • Buying Time — Endless debates, procedural delays, or “studies” — anything to stall truth long enough to maintain control.
  • Corrupting Institutions — If truth is gaining ground through fair systems, they rewrite rules, censor voices, or replace gatekeepers. (like universities for example)

What we have here are some very cleverly disguised fiery darts. Lies cleverly framed to make them unrecognizable to anyone who is not familiar with God’s Truth. Therefore, it behooves us to equip ourselves with the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18. By doing so, we can avoid being deceived & manipulated, in other words being victimized by the enemy.

Do we recognize these tactics? While this is disheartening, take heart. Instead turn to God’s word. For there we will find the resources we need to stand against the lies. We will know these tactics, based on human reasoning and false assumptions are no match for the mighty weapons of God. The louder the promoters of this deception become, the more confident we can be that Truth is already winning.